Meter box grounding clamp

ABSTRACT

An adjustable clamping device for mechanical and electrical connection to sides of a conductor includes a first clamping member having a first base and a first arm, a second clamping member having a second base and a second arm, and a coupling member configured to adjustably couple the first clamping member with the second clamping member such that the first arm is spaced from the second arm by a desired distance. The coupling member is also configured to prevent decoupling of the first clamping member from the second clamping member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/193,912, filed Jul. 17, 2015, pending, which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a grounding clamp for mechanical andelectrical connection to conductors of varying lengths, such as hollowmetal boxes. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to anadjustable meter box grounding clamp.

BACKGROUND

Conventional clamping devices for providing an electrical connection toa conductor include various clamps and forms of strap connectors.Conventional clamps typically have first and second arms that extend ata fixed distance from each other from a base. The arms and base form aC-shape or a U-shape, with the arms being positioned adjacent two endsurfaces of the conductor. The base can be positioned against orslightly away from a front or side surface of the conductor. The clampcan be attached to the conductor through one or more mechanisms once theclamp is placed on the conductor.

In some conventional clamps, the first and second arms are rigidly fixedon a base having a fixed length, with the distance between the arms thusalso being fixed. As a result, these clamps have a predetermined limitedrange of widths, generally equal to the length of an adjustment screw.

For example, conventional C-shaped clamps include a screw-like memberwith an abrading tip that is threaded through one of the arms of theC-shaped clamp. The screw member is threaded through the end of theC-shaped clamp into pressured contact with the meter box, with itsabrading tip shaped to cut through the outer protective coating of themeter box to establish electrical contact with the metal beneath thecoating.

However, conductors have many different shapes and dimension, thuslimiting the utility of fixed-length clamps. Therefore, it may bedesirable to provide an adjustable length clamp that provides a broadrange of operational lengths. It may also be desirable to provide ameter box grounding clamp that is easily adjustable with a single handto assist a user.

SUMMARY

According to various aspects of the disclosure, an adjustable clampingdevice for mechanical and electrical connection to sides of a conductorincludes a first clamping member having a first base and a first arm, asecond clamping member having a second base and a second arm, and acoupling member configured to adjustably couple the first clampingmember with the second clamping member such that the first arm is spacedfrom the second arm by a desired distance. The coupling member is alsoconfigured to prevent decoupling of the first clamping member from thesecond clamping member.

According to some aspects of the disclosure, an adjustable clampingdevice for mechanical and electrical connection to sides of a conductorincludes a first clamping member having a first base and a first arm, asecond clamping member having a second base and a second arm, and acoupling member configured to adjustably couple the first clampingmember with the second clamping member such that the first arm is spacedfrom the second arm by a desired distance. The first clamping member andthe second clamping member are slidable relative to one another whilebeing coupled together such that the desired distance between the firstarm and the second arm is adjustable between a plurality of discretepredetermined distances

In accordance with various aspects, an adjustable clamping device formechanical and electrical connection to sides of a conductor includes afirst clamping member having a first base and a first arm, and a secondclamping member having a second base and a second arm. The deviceincludes a coupling member configured to adjustably couple the firstclamping member with the second clamping member such that the first armis spaced from the second arm by a desired distance selected from aplurality of discrete distances, and an adjustment member configured toprovide a continuous range of adjustment between the plurality ofdiscrete distances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary meter box grounding clampin accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary meter box grounding clampin a first configuration in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary meter box grounding clampof FIG. 2 in a second configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary meter box grounding clampof FIG. 2 in a second configuration;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the exemplary meter box grounding clamp ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view of the exemplary meter boxgrounding clamp of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does notlimit the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary meter box grounding clamp 10 inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure is illustrated. Thegrounding clamp 10 includes a first clamping member 20 and a secondclamping member 30. The first and second clamping members 20, 30 arecoupled together to form the C-shaped clamp 10 that is attachable to ameter box (not shown). The clamp 10 may also be considered U-shaped.

The first clamping member 20 includes a first base 22 and a first arm 24extending perpendicular from the first base 22. Similarly, the secondclamping member 30 includes a second base 32 and a second arm 34extending from the second base 32. When the first and second clampingmembers 20, 30 are coupled together to form the C-shaped clamp 10, thefirst and second bases 22, 32 are parallel to one another in closeproximity, while the first and second arms 24, 34 are parallel to oneanother and spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The first andsecond arms 24, 34 are generally of the same shape and have first andsecond inner surfaces 26, 36, respectively, that substantially opposeeach other.

The first base 22 and the second base 32 are elongated members securedto each other to form an elongated base 12 of the C-shaped clamp 10. Thefirst base 22 and the second base 32 are secured to each other in amanner such that the first base 22 and the second base 32 are movablerelative to one another. Thus, a length of the elongated base 12 can beadjusted by moving the first base 22 relative to the second base 32 suchthat the first and second arms 24, 34 are moved closed to one another orfarther apart from one another.

For example, the first clamping member 20 may include a cutout 40. Thecutout 40 may include an elongated slot 42 extending in a longitudinaldirection of the elongated first base 22. The cutout 40 may also includea plurality of notches 44 in the first base 22 that are spacedsequentially along a length of the elongated slot 42 and extend at anoblique angle relative to the length of the elongated slot 42. Thenotches 44 may be formed by a series of angled flutes 46 also spacedsequentially along a length of the elongated slot 42.

The clamp 10 includes at least one coupling member 50 fixedly coupledwith the second base 32. Each coupling member 50 includes a head 52connected with a pin 54. The pin 54 has a length selected such that whenthe pin 54 is fixedly mounted to the second base 32, the pin 54 extendsfrom a surface 38 of the second base 32 by a length that is equal to orslightly greater than the thickness of the first base 22. The head 52 isthus adjacent a surface 28 of the first base 22. It may be desirable todesign the coupling member 50 such that the head 52 is slightly spacedfrom the surface 28 of the first base 22.

In some aspects, the coupling member 50 may be a screw or a bolt thatcan be removably inserted into a threaded receiving hole (not shown) inthe second base 32. In such embodiments, the screw or bolt can beremoved from the second base 32, and the first base 22 and the secondbase 32 can be decoupled from one another. In other embodiments, thecoupling member 50 may be a rivet or other faster that is designed tonot be removed from the second base 32. In such embodiments, the clamp10 is designed such that the first base 22 and the second base 32 arenot decoupleable from one another.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clamp 10 may include two coupling members 50spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the elongated second base32. The coupling members 50 extend perpendicular from the surface 38 ofthe second base 32 and extend through the cutout 40 in the first base22. The spacing between the coupling members 50 is fixed and correspondswith the spacing between two of the notches 44 in the first base 22. Forexample, the two coupling members may be spaced apart by the distancebetween the centers of two adjacent notches 44 or by the distancebetween the centers of two notches 44 that themselves are separated byone or more notches 44. It may be preferable for the clamp to includetwo coupling members 50 in order to allow some relative rotation butlimiting relative rotation between the clamping members 20, 30, therebyfacilitating installation on a meter box.

The coupling members 50 couple the first base 22 and the second base 32to one another such that the longitudinal dimension of the first base 22and the second base 32 are aligned and the first base 22 and the secondbase 32 are slidably movable relative to one another in the longitudinaldirection of the clamp 10. The first base 22 and the second base 32 arealso slidably movable relative to one another in direction transverse tothe longitudinal direction of the clamp 10 such that the couplingmembers 50 can be received by notches 44 in the first base 22 andremoved from the notches 44 in the first base 22. When the couplingmembers 50 are received by notches 44 in the first base 22, the firstbase 22 and the second base 32 are permitted to move relative to oneanother in a first direction such that the first art 24 and the secondarm 34 move away from one another, but are prevented from moving in asecond direction opposite to the first direction. When the first base 22and the second base 32 are moved in the first direction, the angledflutes 46 guide the pins 54 of the coupling members 50 in a transversedirection toward the elongated slot 42.

In one exemplary embodiment, the notches 44 and pins 54 are spaced apartat predetermined increments to create a plurality of discrete,predetermined lengths of the base 12 of the clamp 10. For example,notches may be spaced at one-half inch intervals, center-to-center, fromeach other so that the base 10 can be adjusted at one-half inchincrements. Corresponding, the pins 54 would be spaced from one anotherby one-half inch or any multiple of one-half inch. For example, two pinscan be spaced one inch apart. To accommodate for minor adjustmentsbetween the discrete sizes of the C-shaped clamp 10 and the length ofthe meter box, the clamp include a set screw 60 threadedly receivedthrough a threaded opening 62 in the second arm 34. The set screw 60 canbe moved into pressure engagement with the bottom of the meter box. Insome aspects, the end of the screw 60 may be pointed to minimize anytorque that may otherwise be transmitted to the clamp 10 andinadvertently cause the clamp to turn.

In use, the first and second base members 22, 32 are movable relative toone another such that the base 12 of the C-shaped clamp 10 has a lengththat is larger than a side of a meter box to which it is to be attached.The first and second base members 22, 32 should be positioned to thesmallest possible length where the arms 24, 34 are beyond opposing endsof the meter box. Advantageously, when the first and second clampingmembers 20, 30 are coupled together by the coupling member 50 to formthe C-shaped clamp, the length of the base 12 of the clamp 10 can beeasily adjusted with one hand of a user while the first and secondclamping members 20, 30 remain coupled to one another. The first arm 24can then engage one end, e.g., a top wall, of the meter box, and thesecond arm 34 will be spaced from an opposite second end, e.g., a bottomwall, of the meter box. The set screw 60 can then be threaded throughthe threaded opening 62 to accommodate for minor adjustments between thediscrete sizes of the C-shaped clamp 10 and the length of the meter box.For example, the clamp is adjustable in one-half inch increments, theset screw 60 should be sized to allow for adjustment up to one-halfinch.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, an exemplary meter box grounding clamp 210in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure is illustrated. Thegrounding clamp 210 includes a first clamping member 220 and a secondclamping member 230. The first and second clamping members 220, 230 arecoupled together to form the C-shaped clamp 210 that is attachable to ameter box (not shown). The clamp 210 may also be considered U-shaped.

The first clamping member 220 includes a first base 222 and a first arm224 extending perpendicular from the first base 222. Similarly, thesecond clamping member 230 includes a second base 232 and a second arm234 extending from the second base 232. When the first and secondclamping members 220, 230 are coupled together to form the C-shapedclamp 210, the first and second bases 222, 232 are parallel to oneanother in close proximity, while the first and second arms 224, 234 areparallel to one another and spaced apart by a predetermined distance.The first and second arms 224, 234 are generally of the same shape andhave first and second inner surfaces 226, 236, respectively, thatsubstantially oppose each other.

The first base 222 and the second base 232 are elongated members securedto each other to form an elongated base 212 of the C-shaped clamp 210.The first base 222 and the second base 232 are secured to each other ina manner such that the first base 222 and the second base 232 aremovable relative to one another. Thus, a length of the elongated base212 can be adjusted by moving the first base 222 relative to the secondbase 32 such that the first and second arms 224, 234 are moved closer toone another or farther apart from one another.

For example, the first clamping member 220 may include a cutout 240. Thecutout 240 may include an elongated slot 242 extending in a longitudinaldirection of the elongated first base 222. The cutout 240 may alsoinclude a plurality of notches 244 in the first base 222 that are spacedsequentially along a length of the elongated slot 242 and extend at anoblique angle relative to the length of the elongated slot 242. Thenotches 244 may be formed by a series of angled flutes 246 also spacedsequentially along a length of the elongated slot 242.

The clamp 210 includes a coupling member 250 fixedly coupled with thesecond base 232. The coupling member 250 includes a head 252 connectedwith a pin 254. The pin 254 has a length selected such that when the pin254 is fixedly mounted to the second base 232, the pin 254 extends froma surface 238 of the second base 232 by a length that is equal to orslightly greater than the thickness of the first base 222. The head 252is thus adjacent a surface 228 of the first base 222. It may bedesirable to design the coupling member 250 such that the head 252 isslightly spaced from the surface 228 of the first base 222 to avoidexcessive friction between the first and second bases 222, 232 when thebases 222, 232 are slidably moved relative to one another.

In some aspects, the coupling member 250 may be a screw or a bolt thatcan be removably inserted into a threaded receiving hole 256 in thesecond base 232. In such embodiments, the screw or bolt can be removedfrom the second base 232, and the first base 222 and the second base 232can be decoupled from one another. In other embodiments, the couplingmember 250 may be a rivet or other faster that is designed to not beremoved from the second base 232. In such embodiments, the clamp 210 isdesigned such that the first base 222 and the second base 232 are notdecoupleable from one another. The coupling member 250 extendsperpendicular from the surface 238 of the second base 232 and extendsthrough the cutout 240 in the first base 222.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the second base 232 may include an elongated slot258 extending in a longitudinal direction of the elongated second base232. The first base 222 includes a coupling member 248 extending fromthe first base 222 in a direction opposite to the direction in which thefirst arm 224 extends. The coupling member 248 is spaced apart from thecutout 240 in the longitudinal direction of the elongated first base 222at an end of the first base 222 opposite to the first arm 224.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coupling member 248 may be T-shaped,having a first portion 249 extending perpendicular from the surface 228of the first base 222 and extending through the slot 258 in the secondbase 232, and a second portion 249′ extending substantiallyperpendicular to the first portion 249. The elongated slot 258 in thesecond base 232 may include a transverse portion 259 at one end. Thetransverse portion 259 is sized such that the second portion 249′ of thecoupling member 248 may be inserted through the transverse portion 259such that the first base 222 and the second base 232 can lie next to oneanother and be relatively slidable as guided by the first portion 249 ofthe coupling member cooperating with the elongated slot 258.

The coupling members 248, 250 couple the first base 222 and the secondbase 232 to one another such that the longitudinal dimension of thefirst base 222 and the second base 232 are aligned and the first base222 and the second base 232 are slidably movable relative to one anotherin the longitudinal direction of the clamp 210. As shown in FIG. 4, thefirst base 222 and the second base 232 are also pivotably movablerelative to one another in a plane transverse to the longitudinaldirection of the clamp 210 such that the coupling member 250 can beselectively inserted into one of the notches 244 in the first base 222and removed from the notches 244 in the first base 222. When thecoupling member 250 is received by one of the notches 244 in the firstbase 222, the first base 222 and the second base 232 are permitted tomove relative to one another in a first direction such that the firstart 224 and the second arm 234 move away from one another, but areprevented from moving in a second direction (i.e., toward one another),which is opposite to the first direction. When the first base 222 andthe second base 232 are moved in the first direction, the angled flutes246 guide the pin 254 of the coupling member 250 in a transversedirection toward the elongated slot 242.

In one exemplary embodiment, the notches 244 and pin 254 are spacedapart at predetermined increments to create a plurality of discrete,predetermined lengths of the base 212 of the clamp 210. For example,notches may be spaced at one-half inch intervals, center-to-center, fromeach other so that the base 210 can be adjusted at one-half inchincrements. Corresponding, the pin 254 would be spaced from one anotherby one-half inch or any multiple of one-half inch. For example, two pinscan be spaced one inch apart. To accommodate for minor adjustmentsbetween the discrete sizes of the C-shaped clamp 210 and the length ofthe meter box, the clamp include a set screw 260 threadedly receivedthrough a threaded opening 262 in the second arm 234. The set screw 260can be moved into pressure engagement with the bottom of the meter box.In some aspects, the end of the screw 260 may be pointed to minimize anytorque that may otherwise be transmitted to the clamp 210 andinadvertently cause the clamp to turn.

In use, the first and second base members 222, 232 are movable relativeto one another such that the base 212 of the C-shaped clamp 210 has alength that is larger than a side of a meter box to which it is to beattached. The first and second base members 222, 232 should bepositioned to the smallest possible length where the arms 224, 234 arebeyond opposing ends of the meter box. Advantageously, when the firstand second clamping members 220, 230 are coupled together by thecoupling members 248, 250 to form the C— shaped clamp, the length of thebase 212 of the clamp 210 can be easily adjusted with one hand of a userwhile the first and second clamping members 220, 230 remain coupled toone another. The first arm 224 can then engage one end, e.g., a topwall, of the meter box, and the second arm 234 will be spaced from anopposite second end, e.g., a bottom wall, of the meter box. The setscrew 260 can then be threaded through the threaded opening 262 toaccommodate for minor adjustments between the discrete sizes of theC-shaped clamp 210 and the length of the meter box. For example, theclamp is adjustable in one-half inch increments, the set screw 260should be sized to allow for adjustment up to one-half inch.

The grounding clamp 10, 210 also includes a grounding screw 70 threadedthrough a threaded opening 72 in the clamp 10, 210. It some aspects, itmay be preferable to thread the grounding screw 70 through the secondbase 32, 232 so that the grounding screw 70 is easily accessible to auser for attaching a wire to be grounded. The grounding screw 70 may beprovided with any conventional mechanism for connecting a ground wire.

In some aspects, the first arm 24, 224 may include one or moreprojections 80. The projections 80 may be frustoconical orpyramid-shaped with a pointed end. The point ends are sufficientlyhardened to cut through any electrically nonconductive layer, such aspaint, on the surface of meter box and to engage in good electrical andmechanical contact with metal surface of the meter box. Further, the setscrew 60 and/or the grounding screw 70 may be provided with tips orpoints configured to scratch and cut through any outer nonconductivecoating into the metal of the meter box when the respective screw 60, 70is tightened in order to provide greater direct electrical andmechanical contact with the metal of the meter box. The projections 80and/or the screws 60, 70 may prevent inadvertent movement or “walking”of the clamp 10, 210 relative to the meter box.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments provides illustrationand description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed.Modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments.

Although the invention has been described in detail above, it isexpressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art that the invention may be modified without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, orarrangement may be made to the invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioneddescription is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and thetrue scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.

No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the presentapplication should be construed as critical or essential to theinvention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only oneitem is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further,the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable clamping device for mechanical andelectrical connection to sides of a conductor, the adjustable claimingdevice comprising: a first clamping member having a first base and afirst arm; a second clamping member having a second base and a secondarm; and a coupling member configured to adjustably couple the firstclamping member with the second clamping member such that the first armis spaced from the second arm by a desired distance, the coupling memberbeing configured to prevent decoupling of the first clamping member fromthe second clamping member.
 2. The adjustable clamping device of claim1, further comprising an adjustment member threadedly received through athreaded opening in the first arm or the second arm for engagement withan adjacent side of the conductor.
 3. The adjustable clamping device ofclaim 2, wherein the length of the adjustment member is greater thanindividual discrete adjustment increments between the first clampingmember and the second clamping member to provide a continuous range ofadjustments for different width conductors.
 4. The adjustable clampingdevice of claim 1, the first base and the second base are elongated andextend substantially parallel to one another in a longitudinaldirection.
 5. The adjustable clamping device of claim 4, wherein thefirst clamping member includes a cutout in the first base, and thesecond clamping member includes a coupling member extending from thesecond base through the cutout.
 6. The adjustable clamping device ofclaim 5, wherein the cutout includes an elongated slot extending in thelongitudinal direction and a plurality of angled notches extendingtransverse to the elongated slot, the plurality of angled notched beingspaced from one another in the longitudinal direction.
 7. The adjustableclamping device of claim 6, further comprising a second coupling memberextending from the second base through the cutout, the second couplingmember being spaced apart from the coupling member by a distance in thelongitudinal direction.
 8. The adjustable clamping device of claim 7,wherein the coupling member and the second coupling member are eachconfigured as a pin that extends through the cutout and terminates in ahead that is configured to prevent decoupling of the first clampingmember from the second clamping member.
 9. The adjustable clampingdevice of claim 7, wherein the distance that the coupling member and thesecond coupling member are spaced apart is equal to a distance betweencenters of two of the plurality of angled notches.
 10. The adjustableclamping device of claim 4, wherein the second clamping member includesan elongated slot in the second base extending in a longitudinaldirection, and the first clamping member includes a coupling memberextending from the first base through the elongated slot in the secondbase.
 11. The adjustable clamping device of claim 10, wherein thecoupling member extending from the first base is at an end of the firstbase opposite to the first arm, and the coupling member extending fromthe second base is at an end of the second base opposite to the secondarm.
 12. The adjustable clamping device of claim 11, wherein the cutoutis between the first arm and the coupling member extending from thefirst base, and the elongated slot is between the second arm and thecoupling member extending from the second base.
 13. The adjustableclamping device of claim 1, wherein the first clamping member and thesecond clamping member are slidable relative to one another while beingcoupled together such that the desired distance between the first armand the second arm is adjustable between a plurality of discretepredetermined distances.
 14. An adjustable clamping device formechanical and electrical connection to sides of a conductor, theadjustable claiming device comprising: a first clamping member having afirst base and a first arm; a second clamping member having a secondbase and a second arm; and a coupling member configured to adjustablycouple the first clamping member with the second clamping member suchthat the first arm is spaced from the second arm by a desired distance,wherein the first clamping member and the second clamping member areslidable relative to one another while being coupled together such thatthe desired distance between the first arm and the second arm isadjustable between a plurality of discrete predetermined distances. 15.The adjustable clamping device of claim 14, wherein the coupling memberis configured to prevent decoupling of the first clamping member fromthe second clamping member.
 16. The adjustable clamping device of claim14, wherein the first base and the second base are elongated and extendsubstantially parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction, thefirst clamping member includes a cutout in the first base, and thesecond clamping member includes a coupling member extending from thesecond base through the cutout, the cutout includes an elongated slotextending in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of anglednotches extending transverse to the elongated slot, the plurality ofangled notched being spaced from one another in the longitudinaldirection.
 17. The adjustable clamping device of claim 14, furthercomprising a second coupling member extending from the second basethrough the cutout, the second coupling member being spaced apart fromthe coupling member by a distance in the longitudinal direction, whereinthe second clamping member includes an elongated slot in the second baseextending in a longitudinal direction, and the first clamping memberincludes a coupling member extending from the first base through theelongated slot in the second base, and the coupling member extendingfrom the first base is at an end of the first base opposite to the firstarm, and the coupling member extending from the second base is at an endof the second base opposite to the second arm.
 18. The adjustableclamping device of claim 17, wherein the cutout is between the first armand the coupling member extending from the first base, and the elongatedslot is between the second arm and the coupling member extending fromthe second base.
 19. An adjustable clamping device for mechanical andelectrical connection to sides of a conductor, the adjustable claimingdevice comprising: a first clamping member having a first base and afirst arm; a second clamping member having a second base and a secondarm; a coupling member configured to adjustably couple the firstclamping member with the second clamping member such that the first armis spaced from the second arm by a desired distance selected from aplurality of discrete distances; and an adjustment member configured toprovide a continuous range of adjustment between the plurality ofdiscrete distances.
 20. The adjustable clamping device of claim 19,wherein the coupling member is configured to prevent decoupling of thefirst clamping member from the second clamping member.